For the first time since they left the embassy, where they were refugees for more than a year, the five Venezuelan opponents who are now publicly appeared to us on Saturday (24) and insisted that their departure was part of “an unprecedented (rescue) operation” that is still in progress. “Our rescue, escape, is an unprecedented operation,” said Magalli Meda, one of the refugees, at a press conference in Washington; She is a collaborator of María Corina Machado’s Vente Ventee Venezuela movement, the leader of the Venezuelan opposition. Magalli also said that the details of the operation will not be disclosed, as it is “a process in progress”. Other opponents are: Pedro Urruchurti, Claudia Macero, Humberto Villalobos and Omar González. They took refuge in the face of a climb of arrests before the July 28 elections, when the National Electoral Council declared President Nicolás Maduro’s victory for a third term under reports of fraud.
The Venezuelan government denies the redemption version and claims it was part of a negotiation. “They set up their show and in the end ended up negotiating,” said Venezuela Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello. Meda classified his departure as a “miracle” after 412 days in the diplomatic complex, thanks to “a strategic operation, involving many people and with huge risks.” “We are recovering,” he added. The arrival of the five in Washington was released on May 6, when US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that “after a precise operation, all hostages are now safe on American soil.”
Since late November, the group denounced the constant presence of intelligence service agents and police outside the residence. It also accused President Nicolás Maduro’s government to cut the complex’s water and electricity services. The government denied these accusations.
*With information from Estadão Content
Posted by Sarah Paula
